Haemochromatosis and blood donation -Philippe Vandekerckhove Rode Kruis Introduction: haemochromatosis hereditary disorder of the iron metabolism affecting predominantly people of Northern European origin − survival advantage in regions with iron-poor diets − mutations spread by migratory activities of Vikings requiring frequent phlebotomies to normalise serum iron levels Merryweather-Clarke A. 2000 Introduction: haemochromatosis Currently no consensus on using the blood from carriers with a documented mutation and/or patients as blood donor for red cell transfusion Issues are: − Can the donation be considered voluntary ? − Is this blood safe for transfusion? Questions addressed Question 1: What is the current policy in different countries with a primarily Caucasian population? Question 2: Is blood of uncomplicated haemochromatosis patients safe and effective for blood transfusion? QUESTION 1 What is the current policy in different countries with a primarily Caucasian population? Methodology & Results Cross-sectional survey − Using a web-based questionnaire (SurveyMonkey® software) − 8 questions on current policy concerning haemochromatosis patients and blood donation − Respondents: • representatives of of the European Blood Alliance (EBA) and/or Alliance of Blood Operators (ABO) • 44 representatives of blood services in 41 countries Response rate − 80 % − 35 respondents representing blood services in 33 countries (next slide) Methodology: participants Last name and first name of Country Affiliation Last name and first name of Country Affiliation respondent(s) respondent(s) Anderson Laurel South-Africa South African National Blood Services Matsuzaki Koji Japan Japanese Red Cross Tokyo Blood (SANBS) Centre Mayr Wolfgang Austria Medical University of Vienna Aquilina Alex Malta National Blood Transfusion Centre Martinez-Riqué Gunilla Sweden Klinisk immunologi och Barnes Susan M and Williamson UK – England National Blood Service transfusionsmedicin (KIT), Labmedicin Lorna Skåne Benjamin Richard USA American Red Cross Mansouri Behrouz and Schwabe Switzerland Blood donation service of the Swiss Blanco Lydia Spain Centros de Transfusión Sanguínea de Rudofl Red Cross Castilla Y León Morris Kieran UK – Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Bricl Irena Slovenia Blood Transfusion Centre of Ljubljana Northern Service Bux Jürgen Germany German Red Cross Blood Service West Ireland Muon Mário Portugal Portuguese Institute of Blood Cameron-Choi Keltie and Sher Canada Canadian Blood Services Nemceva Gita Latvia State Blood Donor Center Graham Niemelä Matti and Krusius Tom Finland Finnish Red Cross Blood Service Courrier Paul Luxembourg Red Cross Luxembourg Norda Rut Sweden Uppsala University Hospital Wim De Kort, Jeroen De Wit and Ed The Sanquin Blood Supply Foundation Poole Geoff and Field Stephen UK - Wales Welsh Blood Service Slot Netherlands Rehacek Vit Czech Transfusion Department, University Delage Gilles Canada Héma-Québec Republic Hospital Dobrota Alina Mirella Romania Regional Blood Transfusion Centre Shinar Eilat Israel Magen David Adom Blood Services Drillat Philippe and Charpak Yves France French National Blood Service Turner Marc and Wells Angus UK – Scottish National Blood Transfusion Franklin Ian Ireland Irish Blood Transfusion Service Scotland Service Georgsen Jørgen Denmark OTCD (Odense University Hospital) Vandekerckhove Philippe Belgium Belgian Red Cross-Flanders Guðmundsson Sveinn Iceland Blood Bank Velati Claudio and Grazzini Italy Italian National Blood Centre Hervig Tor Norway Haukeland University Hospital Giuliano Kullaste Riin Estonia North Estonia Medical Center's Blood Williams Jennifer and Bell Barbara Australia Australian Red Cross Blood Service Center Lin CK Hong Kong Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service Macpherson Jim USA America's Blood Centers Results: Question 1 = 31% of blood services Results: Question 2 and 3 Results: Question 4 Total: 24 blood services Results: Question 5 Results: Question 6 Results: Question 7 Results: Question 8 Results: Common policies.